Sept. 11, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio softball coach Jodi Hermanek has completed her staff with the announcement of Ashley Moore as assistant softball coach. Moore, who replaces Jessica Jones, who left to take a position at Buffalo, will oversee outfielders, base running and hitting while also focusing on recruiting and Bobcat clinics.

"Ashley (Moore) brings a great deal of elite-level experience to this coaching staff," Hermanek said. "Her enthusiasm for athletics coupled with her mental approach to the game is a contagious quality that I'm eager for Ohio to work with."

A proverbial home run appears to have been hit with the hiring of Moore. No stranger to NCAA softball, she brings an impressive resume as she begins her first season with the Bobcats.

A former Auburn All-American, Moore has more than five years of coaching under her belt. Prior to spending the last year away from collegiate softball while working in New Hampshire and coaching the Birmingham Vipers, one of the nation's premier 16-under teams, her most recent coaching stop was at Temple from 2006-07. Before joining the Owls' staff, she spent two years at her alma mater Auburn (2004-06), one year at South Carolina (2003-04) and one year as a student assistant with the Tigers (2002-03).

During her two stops in the SEC, Moore helped coach six different athletes to all-conference recognition, including three first-team honorees at Auburn in 2005. In 2005, Moore helped guide both Holly Currie and Paige Jones to All-American status. While coaching with the Tigers, every squad made it to NCAA Regionals, with the 2005 team hosting the regional round. During the summer of 2006, she served as the associate head coach of the Philadelphia Force in the National Pro Fastpitch League.

One of the most prolific players to don a Tiger uniform, Moore (1999-2002) left her mark on the Auburn record books while becoming the school's first All-American in 2001. She currently sits in the top three in seven different single-season offensive categories, including holding single-season marks for home runs (17) and doubles (22). Her .383 average in 2001 is the third-highest single-season output in school history. In addition, she stands among the program's leaders in 12 different career offensive categories, including several power statistics. Her 40 career home runs and 128 career RBI rank second and third, respectively, while she holds school records for hits (261), doubles (58) and runs scored (171). She also played one year professionally with the New England Riptide of the NPF League from 2004-05.

Born in Stanford, Conn., Moore earned her bachelor's degree in education from Auburn in 2003. She is living in Athens.

"I'm excited to come to Ohio," Moore said. "The moment I arrived in Athens I felt a connection. This is a great fit. There are endless possibilities here with this program."

Moore joins with previous assistant Jenna Hall to make up the new Bobcat staff for this season.

"I look forward to working with this new staff," Hermanek said. "It is complete with character, respect for the game, and dedication to our student-athletes."